The Vanderbilts
The Family that Built a Transportation Empire
The Vanderbilts were one of the oldest and best-known families in America. Jan Aertsen van der Bilt emigrated from Holland around 1650. Although his descendants prospered as farmers on Staten Island, New York, they lived modestly; it was only during the lifetime of Cornelius Vanderbilt (1794-1877), known as the “Commodore,” that the family name became synonymous with extraordinary wealth.
Related Posts
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Dec 21
2015
Mystery Foto #51 Solved: The #10 Renault at the Start of the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race
This weekend's Mystery Foto documented the start of a Vanderbilt Cup racer.
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Nov 28
2015
Update: A Peter Helck Painting “Willie K’s Tour of Inspection” Sold for $48,875
Fans of artist Peter Helck will have an opportunity to purchase a Vanderbilt Cup Race oil painting next month. But, it is going to cost you.
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Nov 04
2015
William K. Vanderbilt Jr.‘s Alva Base on Fisher Island in Florida
Following his marriage to Rosamund Warburton in 1927, William K. Vanderbilt, Jr. traded one of his yachts for seven acres on an island near Miami Beach from Carl Fisher.
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Oct 26
2015
Mystery Foto #43 Solved: The Start of the 1909 Wheatley Sweepstakes
This weekend's Mystery Foto documented the start of a Long Island Race.
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Sep 15
2015
Willie K’s Cars #7: 1928 Lincoln Model L Town Car Built for his Wife Rosamund & A Music Video
When the 1937 Chrysler's Chrysler returned to the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum last Sunday, it was the second town car on the premises. In 1928 William K. Vanderbilt, Jr. commissioned a Lincoln Model L town car for his wife Rosamund.
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Sep 12
2015
Film and Photos: The 1905 Ormond-Daytona Beach Automobile Races
King Rose Archives posted this four-minute film of the 1905 Ormond Daytona Beach Automobile Races including a segment with William K. Vanderbilt, Jr. competing in his 1905 Mercedes.
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Aug 31
2015
Mystery Foto/Illustration Solved #35: Wille K in his 1903 Mercedes Seeking “Other Worlds to Conquer”
This weekend's Mystery Foto was not a photo but an illustration.
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Aug 29
2015
The William K. Vanderbilt Jr. One-Mile Land Speed Record Trophy
The zenith of William K. Vanderbilt Jr's racing career was the 1904 Ormond-Daytona Beach Automobile Races. On January 27, 1904, he set the one-mile land speed record on the beach going 92.3 mph in a 90-hp Mercedes. To mark this achievement, Willie K. later received this beautiful silver trophy.
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Jun 30
2015
The Renault Vanderbilt Racer in Germany
In July 2006 the German magazine Oldtimer Makt published an article on Agatha, the Renault Vanderbilt Racer owned by Wolfgang Auge in Germany. Mr. Auge sent this article to Marvin McFalls who had it translated by his friend Michael Muller.
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Jun 24
2015
Meeting of the Long Island Motor Parkway Preservation Society at the Bethpage Public Library
Please join the Long Island Motor Parkway Preservation Society for a very special evening tonifght featuring Stephanie Gress discussing her new book "Eagle's Nest: The William K. Vanderbilt II Estate." The meeting will begin at 7:30 PM at the Bethpage Public Library. The presentation will be followed by a book-signing.
Deep and rich automotive details here. This whole series could easily be a part of the increasingly popular luxury auto…